Picture of the Day: 

My sister's dog, Cherokee Rose. It is quite an expressive face.

Quote of the Day: 

"You can't build a reputation on what you are going to do."

-Henry Ford

Hello, my dearest readers! It has been some time since I have written here, though to be honest I am sure it makes very little difference. I have not been in the mood to write anything at all, whether it be novels, short stories, poems or blog entries. Mainly, since summer has hit, I have fallen into this pit of depression, and no matter how hard I am trying, I cannot seem to shake it. I have been reading, though very little. I spend most of my time literally sitting in the dark, hoping someone texts or calls--hoping someone shows they care at all--but then getting perturbed at the messages and rings the moment they happen. I am unable to be satisfied or pleased with anything, and I will be honest when I say that I feel like the universe is dead set against me. 

I have been thinking about a lot of things recently. (Partly because I have nothing better to do. Partly because I am making sure I have nothing better to do.) I do not leave the house, except for trips that I absolutely cannot get around. (I tried to do something for pleasure the other weekend, and then my father needed to borrow my truck.) My mother started me in a bootcamp for women because she thinks I am too fat, so I have been leaving the house by 4:45AM to make it, trying to get through the workouts and then coming home to once more go sit in the dark. 

I have not been keeping track of days beyond where I am supposed to be for bootcamp, I have not been getting more than an hour of sleep each night, I have not been enjoyable or enjoying anything. My favorite activity to do (well, one of them leastways!) is to go to the meetings with my writing group. I found out we had one this weekend on Saturday and I literally cried because I did not want to go so badly. 

Basically, I do not think I have ever been this bad before. And, in all honesty, I do not know what to do to fix it. I go to church and sit there because I am supposed to. I believe in God, do not mistake me. But lately I feel like, "Well...I cannot actually accomplish any of the things God wants me to do--so I might as well not try too hard. Going to Hell anyway." I don't pray, I don't read my Bible. 

I do nothing. Except sit in the dark, think, and cry.

I finally forced myself to write some today, and I am afraid that part of it came out a little harsh. Still, I am happy with the progress--at least I have done something today. I suppose that is a step forward. I do not write this because I want you to feel sorry for me. I write this because I feel it must be written. I write this, because I owe you, as my reader, an explanation as to why I have been neglecting you again. So, there it is.

But on to important things! It is June!

That means it is time for June's book of the month! 

So You Want to Be a Wizard? 

by Diane Duane

Really, this is one great book for summer reading. It is fun, it is magical, it is an easy read, and highly enjoyable! I read this book in middle school and I still like to revisit it from time to time. (Not to mention, it makes a pretty stellar series!) Anyway...a short synopsis!

Nita and Kit are the two protagonists. Juanita is a thirteen year old girl who is picked on in school, and Christopher ("Kit") is the same age, and picked on for his Spanish accent and the fact he is small for his age. Together, they become fast friends in a world where they learn wizardry.

This is not like Harry Potter. I shall repeat it. It is not like Harry Potter. But it is every bit as enjoyable. 

Nita is running from bullies when she decides to duck into the library to hide--and she goes to the kids section in search of a book to pass her time. She ends up being snagged (quite literally!) by a book entitled, So You Want to Be a Wizard?. She is skeptical, but interested anyway. She goes through with checking it out, and even takes the "Wizarding Oath", though she is very certain that it will not work. 

Still, she soon discovers that her life has been changed forever, and as she and Kit meet and become friends, it is up to them to save the world. The Book of Light is stolen by the The Lone Power, and it is up to Kit and Nita to get it back. Along the way they meet a white hole named "Fred" who wishes to help in their cause. But, the odds are stacked against them, and it looks like one of them is not going to make it home alive.

One thing I liked especially about this series was the way that wizardry was introduced. In this universe, powers actually go away as you get older. The younger you are, the stronger you are. However, as you age you gain more skill and can greatly guide your use of power. Another idea that I had never come across before was that wizardry only granted you power over certain things. For instance, while Nita can talk to anything living, Kit can only work magic with the mechanical things (which, by the way, seem to have a personality!) 

It is funny, well written, and will certainly be a nice segue into the real summer. And do not forget that this is a series! The magic (and the fun!) do not stop with this book! Read on and check out Deep Wizardry and the rest by Diane Duane! 

Make it a fabulous day, my dearest reader! Happy reading!